Wigner functions of the finite square-well bound states

Abstract

The bound states of a particle confined in a one-dimensional finite square well cannot be solved analytically, since the eigen-energies are determined by transcendental equations. Here, we numerically calculate the bound states and show their non-classical properties, using Wigner's quasi-probability distribution (also called the Wigner functions) in the phase space (x, p). In contrast to the infinite-well case, we find that the Wigner functions spread over the space dimension x, get squeezed along the momentum dimension p, and show negativity outside the well. Negativity in a Wigner function indicates non-classical properties of the bound states.